Detailed Explanation of Key Hydroponic Growing Techniques, A Practical Guide for Rural Growing

Most of China's growing industry is traditional growing; how can it be transformed into modern growing? On this point we can learn from and promote hydroponic techniques from developed Western countries. It is a type of soilless cultivation, originating in Israel, and its main technical feature is the use of nutrient solution instead of soil for plant cultivation.

Introduction to hydroponic techniques

Hydroponic techniques originated in some developed Western countries, and when hydroponic techniques were introduced into China, essential changes took place. To pursue profit, some Chinese merchants skip artificial cultivation and bioengineering methods and directly place washed plants into water to save costs. This way the plants do not appear to die at the time, but after a few days the leaves of the hydroponic plants gradually turn yellow, and finally the hydroponic plants slowly die. This is not only irresponsible to customers, but also harmful and of no benefit to the real hydroponics industry. True hydroponic plants are placed in nutrient solution, and the nutrient solution is formulated through professional hydroponic techniques. The plants are produced through artificial cultivation or seedling raising, and the survival rate is as high as over 95%. If professional aftercare is added later, it can be said they are guaranteed not to die. Certain fake hydroponics not only harms themselves, but also tarnishes true hydroponic techniques.

Hydroponic technique is a very professional technique, and it needs careful and conscientious people to do this industry. Merchants who do not have professional skills are unwilling to train their own techniques, and many merchants lack that awareness and patience.

Advantages of hydroponic techniques

1. Hydroponically grown things grow fast

Because the plants are all soaking in nutrient solution (chemical fertilizer), it is impossible for them to grow slowly. Only by growing fast can limited space be fully used, achieving the high output of “balcony agriculture“ and the goal of self-sufficiency.

2. Reduce soil-borne diseases

China already has many people and little land, and field planting often involves continuous cropping. When growing on urban balconies, ordinary garden soil will 100% have pests and diseases, unless special cultivation soil rich in organic matter and disinfected at high temperature is used. With hydroponics, after one crop you change the water, which is equivalent to one crop and one soil change. Compared with crop rotation in field planting, the effect of preventing continuous cropping diseases is better.

3. Clean

Even if a hydroponic container is knocked over, one wipe with a mop makes it clean. With soil planting, if a flowerpot is knocked over, or water leaks or overflows during watering, the ground becomes very dirty and the balcony environment is polluted.

4. Convenient management

There are no complicated procedures such as weeding, spraying, and loosening soil as in field cultivation, so management is simple.

Disadvantages of hydroponic techniques

1. The technique is tedious (note: not complicated)

Once you understand the basic theory and comprehensively apply other knowledge, hydroponic vegetables are not difficult, but there are many details that need careful handling. In all aspects of water, fertilizer, temperature, light, air, disease, and insects, and at all stages of seeding, seedlings, flowers, and fruit, there is a lot to do.

2. Hard to get started at first, affecting confidence

Because it is tedious, you will encounter quite a few difficulties at first. If you lack confidence, you may very well give up after a brief try. In the end you cannot experience the joy of a bountiful harvest.

3. High initial investment

A hydroponic setup that reaches a practical level requires attention to all aspects, so it is often a whole set of equipment or materials. Compared with potted planting, which only needs a little soil, a flowerpot, or another container, the initial investment is much greater. It easily makes people shrink back in fear. In fact, as long as you can use your hands, many materials in daily life can be used. Apart from equipment that must be purchased, most can be DIYed, and this equipment can be used for a long time. Overall, the cost is still not high, or is worthwhile.

4. There is a gap from completely organic food

Hydroponic vegetables, if not controlled, can lead to excessive nitrate and nitrite. Therefore, apply frequently and in small amounts, and replace with new nutrient solution after each crop. There is still a certain gap between hydroponic vegetables and organic food standards. But things grown in fields now, with excessive application of chemical fertilizers or even organic fertilizers, can likewise lead to excessive nitrate and nitrite, and there will definitely be pesticide residue problems. During transport and sale, the water sprayed by vendors will inevitably have bacterial contamination.

Appendix: Method for hydroponic garlic

1. Take garlic. You can peel off the cloves and place them in a container (suitable for relatively small containers), or you can peel off the outermost skin of the garlic head, directly exposing the cloves, and put it in a container (can be placed in a relatively large container)!

2. Add water directly, just enough to submerge the bottom of the garlic! This helps rooting!

3. Generally change the water every 1~2 days to keep the water fresh! At the initial stage, you can go 3 consecutive days without changing the water, to help it stabilize! After rooting and stabilizing, the frequency of water changes can be higher!

4. Generally after hydroponic planting, roots can form the same day, and green can be seen after 2~4 days!

5. Harvesting: generally you can harvest 2~3 times in succession. For the first few harvests, you can take only the part above the garlic cloves (white stems). For the last harvest, harvest directly with the roots. The standard for the last harvest: when the nutrients in the garlic cloves in the water are completely exhausted! As long as the season is suitable, you can proceed directly to the next round of hydroponic garlic, with the same method as above! Generally from October to the following Spring Festival, you can continuously hydroponically grow 3~4 rounds, and each round can last 40~50 days, ensuring that from late autumn to early spring, you can continuously enjoy green garlic sprouts!